Washer and Dryer Identification Tag

ABSTRACT

This is a flexible magnetic writable tag which can be easily mounted and removed from outer surface of washers and dryers. It is placed flush on the machines. The dry erase surface may be written or drawn upon with any non-permanent marker, permanent marker, or the likes to add personalization for easy identification of washer and/or dryer in public laundry facilities. The non-permanent markings can be easily erased with a dry or wet cloth, eraser or a finger. The tag may be white or come in a variety of colors. Graphics are printed to the tag to form many designs. The layers of the tag assembly may be economically fabricated in that they may be die cut, for example from sheets of material. The tag is flexible, portable and reusable. The tag can be produced with a solid body in any shape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flexible, portable and reusable writable tag, more particularly, a tag that is attached to washers and dryers in laundry facilities for easy identification to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a flexible magnetic tag with a writable surface on front that allows users of public laundry facilities to display their own personal unique inscription and/or drawing and applying tag onto washer and dryer machines surfaces for easy identification. It is placed on the outside of the washer and dryer. It is portable and reusable.

Whether tossing a child's dirty baseball uniform into the wash before a big game, laundering bed linen for unexpected company, or simply washing soiled bath towels and washcloths for the next day's use, most people utilize a washing machine at least once a week. For those consumers with large families and children, laundry must be washed almost on a daily basis, simply in order to keep all household members in clean clothing. While most that live in houses have washing machines and dryers in their own homes, many city dwellers, particularly those who live in apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes depend on public laundry facilities to complete their laundry. Utilized by countless consumers, most public laundromats have dozens of washing machines and dryers, enabling several people to complete their laundry simultaneously. Unfortunately, when using a laundromat facility crowded with dozens of people, many consumers experience the frustrating scenario of forgetting which machines they are using. For instance, a mother of three may be employing three washers and three dryers, with the machines not necessarily side by side. As such, between loads she must lift the lids of dozen of machines simply in order to find the clothing belonging to her family members. Completely frustrating, checking a half dozen machines in order to find a specific load of laundry can be a time consuming hassle. Further, peering into a machine loaded with someone else's clothing is rude and invasion of other user's privacy.

In addition, clothing have been lost and left behind in washers and dryers because the user has lost count of machines being used. Often when the lost has been discovered, the same day or some time later, the items are gone. Replacing lost items provide another expense for the user of public laundry facilities.

The subject of this invention will offer consumers a practical solution to the aforementioned challenges. Simply stated, this invention is specially designed for use in public laundry facilities and designed to enable consumers to clearly mark the machines they are using, thus enabling them to easily distinguish their own laundry from that belonging to others. The washer and dryer tag is placed on the surface of public washers and dryers with users' own creative markings, designs and/or coloring on the dry erase surface to assist with easier identification.

Presently laundry markers are used to mark permanently on cloth, fabric and synthetics. The same as clothing labels being placed on clothing, both are for identifying articles of clothing. Such labels and laundry markers can be found in department stores, office supply, mail order, on-line and department stores.

Another method used in public laundry facilities is placing detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and/or laundry bags on top of these machines. These items are placed for easy identification of washers in use.

Both the clothing laundry markers and clothing labels are used to mark or tag individual clothes. Conventional laundry markers sometime bleed onto labels making it unreadable and can damage clothing if incorrectly applied. Some of the markings can also fade over time causing them to be less visible. Clothing labels can wear and become detached from clothing. Because both clothing laundry markers and clothing labels are placed directly on clothing and then placed inside washer and dryer machines the solution of readily user identification of washers and dryers in a public laundry facility is not solved.

In addition, placing washing products or laundry bags on top of laundry machines is limited because often the same washing products and laundry bags are often used by several different persons. Also, the number of washers and dryers in use may be more than the products the user has on hand.

The washer and dryer identification tag of the present invention provides users a number of significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the washer and dryer identification tag off users a simple and efficient means of clearly marking a washing machine or dryer when utilizing a public Laundromat. The tags provide a simple way for consumers to easily determine which machine they are using when doing laundry at public facilities with dozens of machines. As such, users are spared the hassle of searching through machines in order to find their clothing. Eliminating the frustrating scenario of watching a stranger peer into one's own washing machine, the washer and dryer identification tags also protect the privacy of individual users. Enabling users to complete their laundry in a more timely matter, use of tags ease some of the hassle associated with using public laundry facilities. Easily utilized, the tags can be employed in a matter of seconds and effortlessly removed following use and stored away until again needed.

It would also be advantageous to provide a washer and dryer tag that is easily written or drawn upon with personal design or inscription for identification of washers and dryers in public laundry facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a flexible magnetic writable tag which can be easily mounted and removed from outer surface of washers and dryers. It is placed flush on the machines. The dry erase surface may be written or drawn upon with any non-permanent marker, permanent marker, or the likes to add personalization for easy identification of washer and/or dryer in public laundry facilities. The non-permanent markings can be easily erased with a dry or wet cloth, eraser or a finger. The tag may be white or come in a variety of colors. Graphics are printed to the tag to form many designs.

The layers of the tag assembly may be economically fabricated in that they may be die cut, for example from sheets of material. The tag is flexible, portable and reusable. The tag can be produced with a solid body in any shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of washer and dryer identification tag invention in accordance with the invention. Drawn broken lines are for illustration and are not included in invention claims;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a washer and dryer identification tag invention in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a washer and dryer identification tag of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a tag of invention with information for personalization of tag; and

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of washer and dryer identification tag of present invention in use on a washer machine. Drawn broken lines are for illustration and are not included in invention claims.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of washer and dryer identification tag 10 invention in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a washer and dryer identification tag 10 invention in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a washer and dryer identification tag 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a printable substrate with information.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of a washer machine 24 using the present invention.

Thus, the invention provides a new and advantageous identification tag 10 for public used washers and dryers. It is to be understood that the description terminology does not limit the uses of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an embodiment of the washer and dryer identification tag 10, in accordance with the invention. The washer and dryer identification tag 10 includes a thin, flat, flexible magnetic layer 14, a non-magnetic layer 16 attached to the magnetic layer 14 and the dry erase layer 12. Both figures show a access depression 20 to place finger for ease of removal of tag from attached surface. Although, access depression 20 in shown on bottom of invention, it can be placed anywhere on the tag. Repositioning the tag does not damage or mar the surface to which it is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of identification tag 10 with dry erase feature. FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of magnetic layer 14. The identification tag 10 measures 4″×3.5″, but can be cut to any size and shape. The invention will be further explained below.

For purpose of illustration and description of invention, the first substrate refers to the non-magnetic layer 16 and second substrate refers to the dry erase layer 12. Shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is the identification tag 10 magnetic layer 14. This layer is thin, flexible and flat. It attaches securely to receptive surfaces and allows for the repositioning of the identification tag 10 to washers, dryers, lockers, refrigerators and more.

As shown in FIG. 3 the magnetic layer 14 inner side is secured to the first face of the first substrate with an adhesive layer 18. The magnetic layer comes in a varying range of thickness. The thickness of this embodiment magnetic layer 14 is 30 mil. An example is 30 mil plain brown magnetic sheeting by AIC, 33 9/f, Cosmopolitan Centre, 760 Nathan Road, Hong Kong. The first substrate is a non-magnetic layer 16. It can be made of various materials such as vinyl, paper and others. In this illustration the first substrate is a laminated pressure sensitive adhesive layer 18. This adhesive layer 18 is secured to the magnetic layer 14 inner side. The adhesive keeps the laminate secured to the magnetic layer 14. An example is EMP329w30—IMAGin M-Print Gloss Perm by Mactac a Bemis Company, 1 Neenah Ctr Fl 4, Neenah, Wis. 54956. The facestock is 3.2 mil. The laminated non-magnetic layer 16 is printable with screen print inks or lettering enamels. The permanent graphics which create the outline of a washer machine 24 or any other designs are placed on this non-magnetic layer 16. The colors of the tag are also applied to this layer. The thickness of the non-magnetic layer 16 is 3.2 mil. But, non-magnetic material comes in a varying range of thickness.

As shown in FIG. 3 the second substrate, which is the dry erase layer 12, covers the entire front surface of the tag. The first face of the second substrate is secured to the second face of the first substrate with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 18. An example is PG6000 Series Dry Erase Laminate made by Mactac, a Bemis Company, 1 Neenah Ctr Fl 4, Neenah, Wis. 54956. The facestock in 3.2 mil. This adhesive layer 18 is covered with a release liner that provides for easy liner removal and a near distortion-free adhesive surface. The adhesive is permanent. Many other appropriate adhesives known to the art can be utilized, which has varying range of thickness.

Although pressure sensitive adhesive layer 18 was used in this demonstration to apply the non-magnetic and dry erase areas, other adhesives known to the arts can be used. In an alternate application, an adhesive can be placed on the non-magnetic surface and secured to the magnetic surface or vice a versa. Also, an adhesive can be applied to the non-magnetic surface and secured to the dry erase surface or vice a versa.

FIG. 4 shows the tag of invention dry erase layer 12 with printed inscription, to assist with identification of washers and dryers in public facilities, allowing personalization of tag, such as writings, designs or art.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the washer and dryer identification tag 10 secured to the surface of a washer machine 24 for illustration of it use.

Another embodiment of the washer and dryer identification tag 10 (which is not shown) is the invention without access depression.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washer and dryer identification tag for easily identification of washers and dryers to users of laundry facilities when tag is placed on surface of washer and/or dryer, comprising: means for attaching and detaching to washer and dryer machines for easy identification to user. It has a writable surface, is flexible, easily removed and reusable; means for a writing surface that accepts writing from non-permanent markers, permanent markers and the likes; means for attaching and detaching the body of invention to washer and dryer machines and other surfaces it is receptive with; means for providing a smooth opaque surface, which can be white or come in a variety of colors; and means for access depression to place finger which can be used when removing tag from attached surface.
 2. The washer and dryer identification tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching and detaching to washer and dryer machines for easy identification to user. It has a writable surface, is flexible, easily removed and reusable comprises a use not limited to washers and dryers identification tag.
 3. The washer and dryer identification tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for a writing surface that accepts writing from non-permanent markers, permanent markers and the likes comprises a dry erase layer.
 4. The washer and dryer identification tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching and detaching the body of invention to washer and dryer machines and other surfaces it is receptive with. Magnetic layer is flexible comprises a magnetic layer.
 5. The washer and dryer identification tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a smooth opaque surface, which can be white or colored comprises a non-magnetic layer.
 6. The washer and dryer identification tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for access depression to place finger which can be used when removing tag from attached surface comprises an access depression.
 7. A washer and dryer identification tag for easily identification of washers and dryers to users of laundry facilities when tag is placed on surface of washer and/or dryer, comprising: an use not limited to washers and dryers identification tag, for attaching and detaching to washer and dryer machines for easy identification to user. It has a writable surface, is flexible, easily removed and reusable; a dry erase layer, for a writing surface that accepts writing from non-permanent markers, permanent markers and the likes; a magnetic layer, for attaching and detaching the body of invention to washer and dryer machines and other surfaces it is receptive with. Magnetic layer is flexible; a non-magnetic layer, for providing a smooth opaque surface, which can be white or colored; and an access depression, for access depression to place finger for removal of tag from attached surface. 